Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Begin your class with the lights turned off. Ask the children if they have noticed something unusual. Ask someone to turn on the lights. Talk about the power of electricity that gives light. Discuss what things in the children’s homes run on electricity (stove, refrigerator, fans, tools, and so on). Explain that this lesson is about a different kind of power, a power stronger than electricity: the power of the priesthood of God.

Alternate Activity

For classrooms without electricity, see enrichment activity 1.

Scripture Account

Teach the children the account from Helaman 10 of Nephi receiving the sealing power and the protection of the priesthood to do Heavenly Father’s work. (For suggested ways to teach the children the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

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As Nephi went his way toward his own house, what was he doing? (Helaman 10:2–3.) What does it mean to ponder? (To think about or consider deeply.) What should we ponder or think about?

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Why had Nephi become discouraged as he labored to proclaim the gospel to the Nephites? (Helaman 10:3.)

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What was there about Nephi that pleased Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? (Helaman 10:4.) How can we please them?

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What blessings did Jesus Christ promise Nephi? (Helaman 10:5.) What does it mean that Nephi would not pray for anything that was “contrary to [Christ’s] will”? How can we learn to follow Jesus Christ’s will?

What is the sealing power Nephi was given? (Helaman 10:7; see also D&C 132:7.) How can this sealing power of the priesthood bless us today? (In the temple our families can be sealed together forever.) How does it make you feel to know your family can live together forever? (If any of the children have gone to the temple to be sealed, you might ask them to share how they felt when they were sealed to their families.)

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What did the Lord command Nephi to say to the people? (Helaman 10:11.) How did Nephi show his obedience when the Lord finished speaking to him? (Helaman 10:12.) In what ways does the Lord speak to us? How can we show obedience?

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Why didn’t Nephi’s revelation of the murder of the chief judge change the lives of the Nephites? (Helaman 10:13.)

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How was Nephi protected as he declared the word of God to these people? (Helaman 10:15–17.) What do you think it means that “the power of God was with” Nephi? How can the priesthood bless and protect us today?

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What effect did Nephi’s teachings have on these people? (Helaman 10:18.)

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How have you and your family been blessed by the power of the priesthood?

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

1.

Tell the children you are thinking of a word. Ask them to listen to the following descriptions and raise their hand when they know the word.

It is the power of God.

Through this power the Lord blesses his children and his church.

Those who hold this power represent the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who hold this power are appointed to do the things the Savior wants done.

Read the following descriptions to the children, one at a time, and invite them to find the two wordstrips that fit the description and post them on the chalkboard. It would be more challenging for older children if the descriptions were read out of order. (The descriptions for Aaronic Priesthood duties are taken from Doctrine and Covenants 20:46–59. The description for the office of an elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood is taken from Doctrine and Covenants 20:38–45; 107:11–12.)

a.

I have had the Aaronic Priesthood conferred on me. I pass the sacrament. I may serve as a messenger for priesthood leaders. I collect fast offerings. I help care for Church buildings and grounds. What am I? How old am I when I can be ordained? (Wordstrips: “Deacon,” “Twelve”)

b.

I hold the Aaronic Priesthood. I have all the duties and powers of a deacon, and I prepare the bread and water for the sacrament. I may be assigned to be a home teacher. What am I? How old am I when I can be ordained? (Wordstrips: “Teacher,” “Fourteen”)

c.

I hold the Aaronic Priesthood. I have all the duties and powers of a deacon and teacher, and I can administer (bless) the sacrament. I have the authority to baptize, help with ordinations of other Aaronic Priesthood holders, and take charge of meetings when there are no Melchizedek Priesthood holders present. I help Church members live the commandments. What am I? How old am I when I can be ordained? (Wordstrips: “Priest,” “Sixteen”)

d.

I hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. I may serve a full-time mission. I am called to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the Church. I may give the gift of the Holy Ghost, conduct meetings, bless little children, administer to the sick, and bless family members. What am I? How old am I when I can be ordained? (Wordstrips: “Elder,” “Eighteen”)

Ask the children to name one thing they have learned about the duties of these four priesthood offices.

3.

Tell the following story about priesthood power:

Elder Hugh B. Brown was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When Elder Brown was younger, he was an officer in the Canadian army and was sent to England to fight in World War I for the king of England.

Elder Brown liked being an officer for the king, for he had power to do many things for the king.

One morning Elder Brown got a phone call. A soldier who was in the hospital wanted Elder Brown to come and see him. Many soldiers in the hospital had asked Elder Brown to visit them. They knew that as an officer he had power from the king to send them home. As Elder Brown went to the hospital, he thought of the power he had as an officer. He felt pleased that he could speak for the king and decide if soldiers should stay or go home.

When Elder Brown went into the soldier’s room, the soldier did not ask to be sent home. Instead he said, “Brother Brown, will you give me a blessing? I’m afraid I am going to die, and I want you to ask God to let me live.”

Elder Brown was surprised. The soldier had not sent for him because he was an officer and could do the king’s work. The soldier had sent for him because he had the priesthood and could do Heavenly Father’s work. Elder Brown knew that the power of the king could not save the soldier’s life. It would take the power of Heavenly Father to save the soldier. As he laid his hands on the soldier’s head and gave him a blessing, he felt very humble.

As Elder Brown left the hospital, he was not thinking about his power as an officer. He was thinking about his priesthood power. He knew that men must have the priesthood to do Heavenly Father’s work on the earth. He was glad he had the priesthood and could do God’s work. (Adapted from Hugh B. Brown, Continuing the Quest, pp. 26–27.)

4.

Give the children each one of the following or similar pictures of priesthood bearers using the priesthood. (You can get the pictures from your meetinghouse library.) Invite the children to show their picture and describe what ordinance is being performed in each picture and what office in the priesthood the boy or man holds.

Boy Being Baptized (62018)

Girl Being Confirmed (62020)

Passing the Sacrament (62021)

Ordination to the Priesthood (62341)

Administering to the Sick (62342)

Blessing the Sacrament (62343)

5.

Read and discuss Moroni 3, which explains how priests and teachers are to be ordained by elders.